[MISC.  PUBS.] 


Publication  No.  1 


A  GUIDE  TO 
FRIENDLY  VISITING 


BY 

J.  AUERBACH  LIBRARY! 

PUBLIC  AFFAIRS  SERVICE 



APR  21  19J71 

"  The  only"  real  pleasure  in  life  is 

•  CALIFORNIA 

another."      3*       »       #       tf>  |_QS    ANGELES 


I)   BY 

THE  MUNICIPAL  CHARITIES  COMMISSION 


Foreword 


In  dealing  with  dependent,  defective  and  delinquent  families 
in  their  homes,  no  better  or  more  efficient  agency  has  yet  been 
found  than  a  well  qualified  and  organized  corps  of  Friendly  Vis- 
itors. Charity  Organizations,  Humane  Societies,  Juvenile  Courts 
and  similar  Welfare  Organizations,  employ  paid  visitors  in  their 
investigations  of  distress,  cruelty,  waywardness  and  unsanitary 
conditions.  Through  these  official  visitors,  the  public  is  made 
aware  of  a  number  of  the  existing  evils  in  the  homes  of  the  poor 
that  are  a  menace  to  society  and  in  many  respects  even  endanger 
the  welfare  of  the  future  generation.  Their  trained  eyes  discover 
conditions  either  unknown  or  ignored  by  the  general  public  that 
if  left  unchecked  would  weaken  the  social  structure  and  might 
in  a  few  decades  reduce  the  nation  from  a  high  state  of  efficiency 
to  incompetency,  weakness  and  ultimate  ruin. 

The  number  of  this  class  of  social  visitors  is  of  necessity  small, 
on  account  of  the  necessity  to  devote  all  of  their  time  and  energy 
to  social  service  work.  These  few  visitors  are  doing  pioneer 
work  in  surveying  the  ground,  preparing  the  way,  removing  ob- 
stacles and  even  erecting  guide  posts  for  others  that  may  follow 
them  in  the  trodden  paths.  They  arc  forerunners  of  the  Volun- 
teer Friendly  Visitors  who  have  more  leisure  and  opportunity 
to  study  individual  cases  of  dependency  and  delinquency  for  the 
purpose  of  eliminating  the  acting  cause  in  the  individual  case. 

Any  public  relief  society  that  has  not  for  its  ultimate  object 
reconstruction  of  families  and  individuals  and  that  gives  material 
aid  indiscriminately,  often  fosters  the  evil  it  tries  to  eradicate. 
With  very  few  exceptions,  material  relief  should  be  accompanied 
by  a  friendly  and  personal  interest  in  the  recipient  and  we  should 
demonstrate  to  them  that  we  are  in  reality  brothers  and  sisters 
and  that  because  of  this  relationship  we  are  willing  to  devote 
our  best  efforts  to  aid  them.  In  doing  this  constructive  work, 


some  practical  knowledge  may  be  helpful  to  the  inexperienced. 

The  following  suggestions  made  by  Mr.  J.  Auerbach  in  a  lec- 
ture given  to  a  Friendly  Visitors'  class  of  the  Los  Angeles  Asso- 
ciated Chanties,  so  thoroughly  show  the  attitude  of  modern  re- 
constructive charity  that  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission 
feels  that  every  worker  should  be  familiar  with  these  fundamental 
points  and  hence  takes  pleasure  in  presenting  this  monograph, 
hoping  that  thereby  a  better  understanding  of  this  most  impor- 
tant subject  may  be  had  and  better  co-operation  may  be  estab- 
lished between  the  societies  and  the  individuals  working  in  the 
field. 

Thanks  are  especially  due  to  Mr.  Haines  W.  Reed,  who  kindly 
defrayed  all  expenses  of  this  publication. 

THE  MUNICIPAL  CHARITIES  COMMISSION 

OF  Los  ANGELES,   CALIFORNIA. 


Friendly    Visitors 


The  viewpoint  of  the  Friendly  Visitor  has  changed  with  the 
great  change  that  has  taken  place  in  our  conception  of  social 
work.  The  day  has  gone  by  for  those  who  solemnly  undertake 
to  sacrifice  themselves  to  disagreeable  tasks,  under  the  impres- 
sion that  they  are  thus  discharging  their  duty  to  the  less  fortu- 
nate. Possibly  some  still  enter  social  work  with  this  attitude, 
but  unless  they  come  to  the  modern  view — that  the  social  prob- 
lems of  the  day  offer  a  challenge  to  intelligence,  ability  and  con- 
structive effort  such  as  few  occupations  excel — they  will  either 
be  disappointed,  or  will  not  continue  long  in  this  important  field 
of  social  service. 

There  is  not  much  literature  written  directly  upon  the  subject 
of  Friendly  Visiting,  and  with  the  exception  of  Miss  Richmond's 
hand-book  for  charity-workers  entitled,  "Friendly  Visiting  Among 
the  Poor,"  I  do  not  know  any  other  treatise  that  deals  exclusively 
with  this  line  of  work.  Those  who  care  to  read  this  book  will 
find  valuable  information  concerning  the  rehabilitation  of  fami- 
lies, which  is  the  chief  object  of  Friendly  Visitors.  In  dealing 
with  the  subject,  the  inexperienced  Friendly  Visitor  as  a  rule, 
does  not  care  to  read  much  of  the  technique  and  the  different 
theories  advocated  by  the  various  schools  of  Sociology,  but  pre- 
fers to  have  an  outline  of  the  principle  that  governs  Friendly 
Visiting  and  the  best  and  most  tactful  methods  of  making  this 
principle  a  live  issue. 

Dr.  Hodges  stated  once  that  "The  difference  between  the  Asso- 
ciated Charities  and  the  purely  relief  association  is  like  that  be- 
tween the  doctor's  office  and  the  drug  store."  You  do  not  expect 
to  carry  away  from  the  doctor's  office  something  in  a  basket,  or 
in  a  brown  or  pink  parcel ;  you  expect  to  get  counsel  and  advice 
and  perhaps  a  prescription  that  you  may  take  to  the  drug  store. 
But  the  experienced  doctor,  in  making  that  prescription,  takes 
pains  to  prescribe  as  few  drugs  as  he  can.  He  is  afraid  of  getting 
people  into  the  drug  habit,  and  the  wise  philanthropist  is  just 
as  much  afraid  of  getting  people  into  the  alms  habit,  which  is 
closely  related  to  the  morphine  habit  in  that  it  deprives  people 
of  self-respect. 


The  Friendly  Visitor  may  be  likened  to  the  one  who  has  to 
compound  this  prescription — namely,  to  carry  out  this  definitely 
formulated  plan  outlined  for  him  at  the  Conference  of  Friendly 
Visitors  or  case  committee  with  the  privilege  of  modifying  it 
or  substituting  some  other  way  with  the  full  co-operation  of 
the  Conference  or  central  office  of  the  Associated  Charities. 

Friendly  Visitors  not  familiar  with  lines  of  social  work  would 
rather  have  concrete  facts  than  abstract  ideas  of  the  various  ways 
in  which  the  task  of  rehabilitation  of  individual  families  can  be 
accomplished,  the  various  obstacles  to  overcome  and,  above  all, 
how  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  man  or  woman  with  whom 
they  come  in  contact  without  the  danger  of  being  looked  upon 
as  a  new  source  of  revenue  instead  of  a  true  friend  in  need. 

The  first  thing  a  Friendly  Visitor  must  do  in  order  to  get  the 
best  results  is  to  get  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  synopsis  of 
the  case  given  to  him  to  start  on.  Study  the  details  of  the  case 
given  you  and  notice  the  points  that  appeal  to  you  most.  The 
first  impressions  should  be  followed  in  most  cases.  Arrange  to 
make  the  first  visit  alone  and  early  in  the  afternoon,  just  about 
an  hour  before  children  return  from  school.  Keep  in  mind  that 
you  are  not  an  investigator  or  an  investigating  committee  and 
that  you  may  be  regarded  so  if  you  should  go  accompanied  by 
somebody  else,  thereby  giving  a  wrong  impression.  Wait  until 
the  older  children  return  from  school,  if  there  are  any,  and  notice 
the  attitude  of  the  children  toward  the  mother,  and  vice  versa. 
The  impressions  you  gather  from  the  general  appearance  of  the 
children,  their  greeting  at  mother's  request,  etc.,  will  help  you 
to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  prevailing  atmosphere  in  the  home. 
By  all  means  do  not  express  any  criticism ;  on  the  contrary,  find 
something  to  commend,  either  in  the  woman  or  children,  in  order 
to  leave  the  impression  of  being  a  person  who  does  see  and 
appreciate  good  qualities  among  the  poor  people.  This  attitude 
will  help  you  to  make  your  second  visit  more  free  and  less  re- 
served. But  I  hear  someone  say,  "How  can  I  make  my  first 
visit  without  feeling  that  I  am  intruding,  or  running  the  risk 
of  being  shown  the  door  after  gaining  an  entrance?"  It  depends 
on  the  tactful  manner  in  which  you  make  your  own  introduction 
whether  you  are  considered  a  welcome  guest  and  will  be  con- 
sidered as  such  in  the  future.  By  all  means,  if  you  do  not  want 
to  make  a  failure  of  your  visit,  do  not  introduce  yourself  as  a 
delegate  sent  by  the  Associated  Charities  who  comes  with  the 
express  purpose  of  giving  material  help.  Have  a  definite  idea 
of  what  you  are  going  to  tell  the  family  to  explain  your  unex- 
pected visit.  If  sickness  or  chronic  ailment  is  the  cause  of  dis- 
tress in  your  particular  family,  you  will  surely  be  welcome  if 
you  introduce  yourself  by  name,  stating  that  you  heard  of  the 


sickness  of  one  of  the  members  through  a  friend  of  yours  and 
you  just  came  to  see  them.  A  bunch  of  flowers  may  aid  you  to 
make  your  visit  more  profitable  and  to  gain  their  confidence 
more  easily.  If  lack  of  employment  should  be  the  cause  of  dis- 
tress, the  visitor  would  be  greatly  benefited  if  he  were  prepared 
to  offer  some  suggestion  as  to  where  the  man  or  woman  might 
get  employment.  This  is  not  always  necessary,  but  it  serves 
as  an  excuse  to  explain  his  presence.  An  introduction  like  this 
may  be  helpful :  "I  learned  from  a  friend  of  mine  that  your  hus- 
band has  been  out  of  work  for  some  time.  I  just  came  to  see 
what  he  can  do.  I  may  be  able  to  help  him  secure  work  and 
would  like  to  have  a  talk  with  him,"  etc.  If  intemperance  is  the 
cause,  then  the  introduction  must  be  studied  from  the  immediate 
effects  caused  by  the  destructive  disease.  There  are  numerous 
ways  in  which  you  may  gain  entrance  to  a  family,  without  tell- 
ing them  in  an  apologetic  way  why  and  wherefore  you  are  so 
interested  in  them.  Comment,  for  instance,  on  the  unusual  clean- 
liness of  the  room  or  children,  or  something  about  ornaments,  etc. 
This  unexpected  praise  will  open  a  way  for  discussion  of  sub- 
jects upon  which  you  are  particularly  anxious  to  be  informed. 
To  gain  a  complete  knowledge  of  a  family,  be  they  rich  or  poor, 
four  distinct  points  must  be  strictly  studied: 

(1)  Social   History.     This   includes  names  and  ages  of  the 
members  of  the  family,  birth-places,  marriage,  number  of  rooms, 
education,  children's  schools,  condition  of  relatives  and  friends, 
church,  etc. 

(2)  Physical  History.    Health  of  each  member  of  the  family, 
name  of  doctor,  habits,  good  as  well  as  bad. 

(3)  Work    History.      Occupations,    names    of    present    and 
former  employers,  how  long  and  what  seasons  usually  in  work, 
how  long  out  of  work,  earning  capacity  of  each  member,  etc. 

(4)  Financial  History. 

The  first  three  histories  do  not  differ  materially  from  the  well- 
to-do  people,  but  the  fourth,  the  financial  history,  is  very  much 
unlike  that  of  the  rich.  It  does  not  deal  with  properties,  mort- 
gages, bonds,  stocks,  commercial  papers,  franchises,  etc.,  but 
with  rents,  landlords,  debts,  including  installment  purchases,  such 
as  sewing  machines,  furniture  and  even  clothes;  beneficial  socie- 
ties, trade  unions,  life  insurance,  pawn  tickets,  pensions,  chari- 
table aid,  etc. 

By  all  means  do  not  neglect  the  man,  the  head  of  the  family, 
or  breadwinner,  if  there  is  one  in  your  particular  case.  Church 
workers  and  Friendly  Visitors  often  deal  with  women  and  chil- 
dren in  their  homes  for  years  and  seldom,  if  ever,  give  any 
thought  to  the  man  who,  when  worthy  of  the  name  of  bread- 
winner, should  be  included  in  the  program,  whatever  it  may  be. 


If  he  is  a  brute,  a  detriment  to  the  family,  then  there  is  more 
reason  why  the  Friendly  Visitor  should  see  that  this  millstone 
around  the  woman's  and  children's  necks  is  removed,  and  in 
doing  this  humane  work,  do  not  let  him  off  without  shouldering 
at  least  part  of  the  responsibility  of  support.  Make  inquiries  in 
a  tactful  manner  about  the  man's  health,  habits,  skill,  capacity 
for  saving  and  managing;  about  his  likes  and  dislikes,  taste  for 
literature,  modes  of  recreation ;  make  mental  notes  of  it  as  it 
will  help  you  to  discover  hidden  resources  in  the  family  which 
could  be  made  use  of  to  their  own  advancement.  You  will  gain 
his  confidence  and  he  will  look  upon  you  as  a  friend  and  not  as 
a  charity  spy.  If  you  plan  an  entertainment  or  outing  for  the 
family,  be  sure  to  include  him  in  the  party  if  you  want  it  to  be  a 
success.  Make  him  feel  that  he  is  the  head  of  the  family  and 
that  the  family's  welfare  rests  upon  him  and  that  you  are  ready 
to  discuss  with  him  not  only  domestic  affairs  but  also  economic 
questions  such  as  strikes,  lockouts,  the  unemployed,  or  whatever 
may  be  the  cause  of  his  dissatisfaction  or  grievance.  Do  not  miss 
a  chance  to  lead  him  to  a  better  and  fuller  understanding  of  the 
social  and  economic  questions  of  which  the  poor  are  so  much 
in  need  for  their  own  good.  If  work  should  be  found  for  the 
man,  do  not  cripple  his  efforts  by  letting  him  feel  that  he  can 
sit  idle  and  let  you  as  his  friend  do  all  the  searching  and  worry- 
ing. Send  him  to  find  work,  go  with  him  to  special  places,  if 
necessary,  but  do  not  go  from  place  to  place  to  find  it  for  him. 
Develop  his  resources,  show  an  interest  in  all  his  attempts  and 
encourage  him  to  renewed  efforts.  Since  we  have  more  women 
Friendly  Visitors  than  men,  I  will  not  attempt  to  give  you  spe- 
cial instructions  for  gaining  women's  confidence  so  they  may 
regard  you  as  their  best  friend,  not  for  the  sake  of  the  material 
benefit  gained  from  time  to  time,  but  for  the  moral,  intellectual 
as  well  as  spiritual  advantage  of  coming  in  personal  contact 
with  you.  Avoid,  if  possible,  being  looked  upon  as  a  source 
of  revenue,  and,  therefore,  do  all  you  can  to  prevent  the  mother 
and  children  from  associating  in  their  minds  your  visit  with  a 
material  gift,  such  as  a  grocery  order  or  a  bundle  of  clothes, 
every  time  you  visit  the  family.  Try  to  leave  the  impression 
that,  notwithstanding  your  social  position  or  any  other  superior 
quality  you  may  possess,  you  regard  them  as  your  equals  in 
individual  rights  and  privileges,  and  while  you  can  advise  them 
for  their  own  good  do  not  seem  to  force  conditions  upon  them 
which  seem  to  them  unfeasible  or  offensive.  If,  in  your  judg- 
ment, some  personal  defects  in  the  woman  or  children  should  be 
corrected,  do  not  speak  bluntly  of  them ;  lead  your  conversation 
in  such  a  way  that  the  woman  may  recognize  and  admit  these 
points  in  herself  or  children  without  being  told  directly  of  them, 


and  it  will  give  you  a  chance  to  gain  your  point  without  being 
regarded  as  meddlesome. 

To  improve  the  living  conditions  through  efforts  with  the 
woman  at  home  is  primarily  the  work  of  the  woman  Friendly 
Visitor.  After  this  is  accomplished  to  a  certain  degree,  the 
task  of  transforming  the  family  from  dependency  to  a  self-re- 
straining and  self-respecting  state  is  considerably  lightened.  To 
accomplish  this  most  important  transformation,  the  Friendly 
Visitor  must,  of  necessity,  lend  them  her  brains  instead  of  her 
money.  I  suppose  some  of  you  are  familiar  with  the  admoni- 
tion made  by  Goldsmith  in  his  novel,  "Vicar  of  Wakefield." 
you  desire  to  rid  yourself  of  your  relatives,  lend  them  some 
money."  Why  the  lending  of  money  should  have  a  tendency 
to  mar,  and  even  destroy  friendship,  I  do  not  intend  to  discuss ; 
suffice  it  to  say  that  for  a  Friendly  Visitor  to  lend  money  to  a 
family  in  which  she  is  interested  at  the  first  few  visits,  will  in 
most  cases  mar,  and  even  destroy,  the  confidence  and  friendly 
relations  she  has  gained  through  hard  work.  Therefore,  when 
this  lending  proposition  comes  up  in  the  case  of  temporary  em- 
barrassment or  visionary  schemes  on  their  part,  instead  of  lend- 
ing them  money,  lend  them  your  brains,  and  if  yours  are  not 
sufficient  to  meet  the  emergency,  borrow  some  more  from  your 
friends.  Give  them  new  ideas  and  show  them  that  there  are 
more  ways  than  one  to  solve  perplexing  problems— the  only  dif- 
ference is  that  one  may  be  more  tedious  than  the  other.  By 
using  the  best  .qualities  in  us  in  dealing  with  the  poor,  making 
their  troubles  and  difficulties  our  own  troubles  and  difficulties, 
we  are  enabled  to  put  them  on  their  feet  and  change  them  from 
tax-eaters  to  tax-payers.  The  sooner  we  realize  that  we  can 
do  more  good  by  leading  the  poor  people  to  help  themselves  than 
by  all  our  alms-giving,  the  nearer  we  come  to  grasping  the  true 
spirit  of  modern  philanthropy. 

Since  our  Friendly  Visitors  must  be  recruited  from  the  various 
social  strata,  it  is  natural  that  they  represent  different  viewpoints 
on  social  as  well  as  domestic  relations.  It  is,  therefore,  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  have  the  General  Secretary  of  the  Asso- 
ciated Charities,  or  chairman  of  the  Conference  of  Friendly  Vis- 
itors, study  the  characteristics  of  the  Friendly  Visitor,  as  well 
as  those  of  the  family  intrusted  in  her  charge  in  order  to  accom- 
plish the  best  results.  They  must  guard  against  misfits  in  tem- 
perament or  religious  views  and,  above  all,  against  over-senti- 
mentality. The  positive  and  negative  must  meet  to  make  a 
harmonious  union.  While  Friendly  Visitors  representing  a  spe- 
cial church  may  influence  a  change  in  the  moral  and  spiritual 
views  of  their  respective  charges,  they  ought  never  to  try  to 
proselyte  them  and  induce  them  to  change  church  relations,  if 


they  have  any.  Never  make  light  of  their  religious  views,  even 
if  they  seem  queer  to  you,  but  you  may  try  to  lead  them  to  a 
clearer  and  broader  understanding  of  religious  principles  and 
their  queer  notions  will  disappear  of  themselves. 

The  sympathies  of  the  Friendly  Visitor  are  often  aroused  so 
that  they  feel  that  something  definite  must  be  done  at  once,  in 
the  form  of  a  sudden  change,  such  as  hospital  treatment,  re- 
moval to  a  country  farm,  sanitarium  or  asylum,  but  the  visitor 
must  be  careful  not  to  let  her  sympathies  run  away  with  her 
judgment  and  not  display  an  over-anxiety  to  make  the  person's 
last  hours  pleasant  and  providing  for  them  in  the  most  comfort- 
able manner. 

It  is  needless  for  me  to  mention  that  the  Friendly  Visitor 
should  not  neglect  the  welfare  of  the  child  in  all  its  ramifica- 
tions. Get  familiar  with  the  condition  of  the  child's  health,  its 
aptness  for  studies,  the  causes  for  backwardness,  if  there  are  any, 
its  good  as  well  as  bad  tendencies,  its  opportunities  for  recrea- 
tion, kindergarten  facilities,  child  labor,  and  any  other  points 
that  may  help  to  develop  new  or  better  methods  for  improve- 
ment in  the  family  in  which  you  are  interested. 

Friendly  Visitors  as  a  rule  differ  widely  on  the  question  of 
material  relief.  To  one  that  knows  the  needs  of  the  poor,  the 
relief  of  suffering  by  gifts  of  food,  fuel  and  raiment,  seem  only 
a  small  part  of  the  work  of  charity,  but  the  fact  remains  that 
the  majority  of  mankind  is  still  little  moved  by  any  needs  that 
are  not  closely  associated  with  hunger,  cold  or  nakedness.  If 
we  relieve  these  visible  manifestations  of  poverty,  believing 
that  our  gifts  in  themselves  carry  any  blessing  to  the  poor, 
we  are  taking  a  grossly  material  view  of  human  life.  If,  on  the 
other  hand,  our  knowledge  of  the  mischief  done  by  reckless  and 
indiscriminate  giving  makes  us  morbidly  skeptical  of  all  ma- 
terial assistance,  we  are  losing  a  valuable  tool,  for  relief  at  the 
right  time  and  given  in  the  right  way  may  be  made  an  incentive 
to  renewed  exertion  and  help  to  a  higher  standard  of  living. 

When  a  visitor  is  able  to  develop  the  family's  own  capacity 
without  resorting  to  material  aid  from  either  her  own  or  other 
sources,  she  is  very  fortunate,  but  very  often  relief  from  out- 
side is  a  necessity,  and  it  depends  largely  on  the  way  in  which 
this  important  function  is  performed. 

As  I  have  previously  intimated,  it  is  wise  for  the  Friendly  Vis- 
itor not  to  give  material  relief  in  her  first  few  visits,  but  if  relief 
is  necessary,  to  procure  it  either  from  the  office  or  other  sources, 
except  in  rare  emergencies.  In  low-grade  families  the  giving 
of  material  relief  by  Visitors  leads  to  deception  and  misrepre- 
sentation of  actual  conditions,  and  retards,  or  even  makes  im- 
possible the  process  of  reconstruction,  while  in  high-grade  fam- 


ilies  the  giving  of  relief  on  slight  acquaintance  may  be  resented 
or  misinterpreted,  losing  by  it  the  real  object  of  your  interest 
in  them.  Friendly  Visitors  are  human  and  are  easily  moved  by 
apparent  needs.  It  is  so  much  easier  to  give  than  to  be  forced 
to  use  our  ingenuity  to  find  other  and  better  ways  of  helping. 
Many  of  our  Visitors  start  out  with  the  best  intentions  and  are 
tempted  to  give  relief  each  time  they  visit  a  family.  First  it 
may  be  clothing  for  the  children,  then  rent,  then  groceries,  then 
more  clothing,  and  the  family's  needs,  strange  to  say,  seem  to 
increase,  and  finding  their  advice  unheeded  and  perhaps  part 
'of  their  munificence  wasted,  especially  in  the  line  of  clothing, 
they  either  terminate  the  friendship  or  are  erroneously  impressed 
with  the  idea  of  how  the  poor  are  constituted.  To  administer 
relief  wisely  one  needs  special  training  and  inexperienced  visitors 
will  do  well  to  consult  older  ones  that  have  had  previous  ex- 
perience in  administering  relief  and  know  the  standards  of  liv- 
ing of  that  particular  community  in  which  they  are  interested. 
It  often  happens  that  through  an  unwise  or  injudicious  relief- 
giving,  you  may  incite  false  hopes  in  the  poor  neighbors  of  your 
particular  family  and  run  the  risk  of  injuring  the  very  reputa- 
tion of  your  client. 

When  relief  is  needed,  it  should  be  given  in  the  home  with- 
out any  publicity  and  with  the  full  knowledge  and  consent  of 
the  breadwinner.  Do  not  encourage  the  family  in  sending  notes 
of  appeal  for  aid  by  their  children.  Juvenile  offenders  often 
begin  by  child-begging  with  or  without  notes.  Avoid  appeals 
to  numerous  sources  of  aid.  Natural  sources,  such  as  relatives, 
friends,  former  employers,  benevolent  organizations  of  their  na- 
tionality, etc.,  should  be  first  resorted  to,  and  if  it  is  necessary 
to  divide  the  burden  of  expense,  try  to  have  it  administered 
through  one  source  only. 

There  arc  numerous  ways  by  which  we  can  minister  to  the 
poor  without  making  them  more  dependent,  and  each  visitor 
must  learn  this  art  by  herself.  The  aforesaid  principles  are  only 
guide  posts  on  the  way  of  friendly  and  helpful  visiting. 

Experience  has  demonstrated  that  a  Friendly  Visitor  should 
not  take  more  than  two  or  three  cases  for  permanent  care. 
Two  families  of  opposite  types  are  preferable,  for  many  reasons. 
It  gives  the  Visitor  a  better  chance  to  grasp  the  principles  that 
govern  Friendly  Visiting,  by  comparing  the  contrasting  circum- 
stances that  may  surround  these  families.  She  will  also  notice 
the  points  common  to  both  and  this  similarity  will  help  to  stim- 
ulate her  to  heroic  action  in  devising  plans  for  betterment  by 
applying  the  same  or  similar  remedies. 

I  do  not  need  to  admonish  the  earnest  Friendly  Visitor  not 
to  give  up  her  cases  after  once  taking  hold  of  them.  She  will 


soon  realize  that  the  subtle  law  of  compensation  is  active  in 
this  field  of  human  endeavor,  and  perhaps  more  so  than  in  any 
other  range  of  our  activities.  She  will  soon  learn  the  beneficial 
influence  exercised  upon  herself  and  the  broadening-out  in  sym- 
pathy, as  well  as  in  knowledge,  that  she  could  not  have  gained 
in  any  other  way,  with  the  result  that  she  will  not  give  up  visit- 
ing her  families  even  after  the  immediate  needs  have  disappeared, 
but  will  watch  with  zeal  the  steps  of  progress  made  by  the  family 
during  each  successive  visit.  She  will  soon  learn  that  she  her- 
self will  receive  benefit  in  proportion  as  she  administers  to  them, 
and  will  be  glad  to  continue  to  add  the  richness  which  such 
contact  brings  to  one's  own  life.  Besides  touching  so  many  of 
the  most  interesting  social  questions,  it  gives  one  a  taste  of  real 
life  which  will  seem  deeper  and  fuller  of  real  pleasure  and  in- 
terest than  any  other  of  the  so-called  joys  of  life,  so  eagerly 
sought  after  and  so  often  missed.  Then,  I  believe  nothing  else 
brings  a  deeper  belief  in  the  underlying  good  in  every  one  than 
a  close  touch  with,  not  "the  slums,"  but  our  brothers  and  sisters, 
and  it  will  eventually  mean  more  to  you  than  to  the  family  you 
visit.  It  will  broaden  your  whole  life;  it  will  give  you  work  to 
do  when  a  personal  sorrow  claims  your  thoughts,  and  you  will 
gain  loyal  friends  among  the,  poor. 

Thus  far,  I  have  been  giving  suggestions  pertaining  to  the  in- 
dividual families  in  their  homes,  pointing  out  ways  in  which  we 
can  be  helpful  in  improving  the  standards  of  the  home,  by  making 
the  breadwinner  feel  more  and  more  his  responsibility  toward 
his  family  and  become  a  better  provider.  In  a  tactful  way,  teach 
the  woman  to  become  a  more  efficient  home-maker  and  make 
the  home  more  attractive  to  the  husband  as  well  as  the  children, 
and  see  that  the  children  have  all  the  opportunities  possible  for 
physical  development.  But  the  work  of  the  Friendly  Visitor 
would  be  incomplete  if  she  did  not  try  to  improve  and  elevate 
the  undesirable  conditions  and  moral  tone  of  the  neighborhood 
in  which  her  family  resides.  With  this  end  in  view,  the  Friendly 
Visitor  must  become  acquainted  with  conditions  in  that  locality. 
Know  all  about  the  helpful  social  organizations,  the  kindergarten 
and  playgrounds  in  the  neighborhood,  also  hospitals  and  free  dis- 
pensaries, and  see  to  it  that  the  family  makes  proper  use  of 
them.  Note  especially  the  undesirable  conditions  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, such  as  defective  or  inadequate  sewerage,  over-crowded 
dwellings,  unsanitary  back  yards,  and  similar  conditions  that 
tend  to  affect  the  health  and  morals  of  the  community.  Bring 
definite  facts  to  the  Conference  for  discussion  with  a  view  of 
remedying  same. 

By  JOSEPH  AUERBACH, 
General  Secretary  Los  Angeles  Associated  Charities, 

10 


ORDINANCE  NO.  27,510 
(New  Series) 

As  Amended  by  Ordinance  No.  27,878  (New  Series). 

An  Ordinance  creating  a  Municipal  Charities  Commission  and  pre- 
scribing its  powers  and  duties. 

The  Mayor  and  Council  of  the  City  of  Los  Angeles  do  ordain  as  follows: 

Section  1.  There  is  hereby  created  a  commission  of  the  City  of  Los 
Angeles  to  be  known  and  designated  as  the  Municipal  Charities  Com- 
mission. Said  commission  shall  consist  of  five  members  who  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Mayor,  subject  to  confirmation  by  the  Council.  The 
term  of  office  of  each  of  said  commissioners  shall  be  for  a  period  of  four 
years  and  all  of  said  commissioners  shall  serve  without  compensation. 

Sec.  2.  That  upon  the  appointment  of  said  commissioners  they  shall 
meet  and  organize  by  the  election  of  a  President  and  a  Secretary,  and 
such  other  officers  as  may  be  necessary.  Said  Commission  shall  hold 
such  meetings  at  such  time  and  place  as  it  may  fix  by  resolution. 

Sec.  3.     Said  commission  shall  have  power: 

(1)  To    investigate    all    charities    dependent    upon    public    appeal    or 
general   solicitation   for   support   and   to  endorse  such   of  them  as   meet 
actual  needs  of  the  community,  attain  a  reasonable  standard  of  efficiency 
and  are  so  conducted  as  to  insure  the  public  of  the  wise  use  of  funds. 

(2)  To  encourage  the  formation  of  new  private  charities  to  meet  needs 
that  are  not  already  provided   for  and  to  foster  all  worthy  enterprises 
of  a  philanthropic  nature  and  to  give  assistance  thereto. 

(3)  To  collect  and  preserve  statistics  relating  to  charities,  conditions 
of  life,  unemployment   and   delinquency  and   to   suggest  means   for  im- 
proving the  conditions  producing  the  need  of  relief. 

(4)  To  maintain  a  constant  survey  of  the  field  of  charities  with  regard 
to  the  need  and  the  work  being  done  in  connection  therewith,  and  to 
secure  intelligent  co-operation  among  all  charitable  and  social  agencies 
in   the  city   to   the   end   that   a   comprehensive   and   economical   plan   in 
philanthropy  may  be  attained. 

(5)  To  disburse  all  funds  set  apart  by  the  city  for  charitable  purposes 
and  to  make  a  report  to  the  City  Council  of  the  work  done  in  connec- 
tion therewith. 

(6)  To  receive  donations,  gifts  or  bequests  to  be  used  for  charitable 
or    philanthropical    purposes    and    to    administer    any   trust    declared    or 
created  for  any  such  purpose  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  said  trust. 

(7)  To  establish  and  maintain  a  bureau  for  the  purpose  of  providing 
employment  free  of  charge  to  persons  applying  therefor,  to  furnish  in- 
formation concerning  any  vacant  position,  situation  or  employment  which 
may  come  within  the  knowledge  of  said  commission,  to  keep  a  register 
containing  the   names  and   addresses   of  persons  who  make  application 
for  employment,  together  with  the  names  and  addresses  of  all  persons 
who  are  seeking  help  and  to  keep  a  list  of  all  positions  and  situations 
filled. 

Sec.  4.  That  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission  be,  and  it  is  hereby 
authorized  to  appoint  the  following  employes  at  the  compensation  herein 
fixed,  to  wit: 

One  Investigating  Agent  at  a  salary  of  $100  per  month. 

One  Record  Clerk,  at  a  salary  of  $75  per  month. 

II 


FREE  LABOR  BUREAU 

One  Superintendent,  at  a  salary  of  $125  per  month. 

One  Record  Clerk,  at  a  salary  of  $90  per  month. 

One  Clerk,  at  a  salary  of  $100  per  month. 

That  all  such  persons  shall  perform  such  duties  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission. 

Sec.  5.  The  City  Clerk  shall  certify  to  the  passage  of  this  ordinance 
and  cause  the  same  to  be  published  once  in  The  Los  Angeles  Daily 
Journal. 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  ordinance  was  introduced  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Council  of  the  City  of  Los  Angeles  of  April  29,  1913, 
and  was  passed  at  its  meeting  of  May  6,  1913. 

CHAS.   L.  WILDE,  City  Clerk. 
Approved  this  6th  day  of  May,  1913. 

GEO.  ALEXANDER,  Mayor. 


ORDINANCE  NO.  28,255 
(New  Series) 

An  Ordinance  prohibiting  begging  in  the  public  streets,  or  places,  and 
regulating  the  soliciting  of  alms  and  contributions  for  charitable  purposes 
in  the  City  of  Los  Angeles. 

The  Mayor  and  Council  of  the  City  of  Los  Angeles  do  ordain  as  follows: 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  to  beg,  or  practice 
begging,  in  or  on  any  public  street,  or  in  any  public  place  in  the  City 
of  Los  Angeles. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  asso- 
ciation to  solicit  alms,  food,  clothing,  money  or  contributions  within  the 
City  of  Los  Angeles,  without  first  securing  a  permit  so  to  do  from  the 
Municipal  Charities  Commission  of  said  city.  Provided,  however,  that 
the  provisions  of  this  section  shall  not  apply  to  properly  accredited 
solicitors  of  established  churches  of  said  city  soliciting  for  purely  reli- 
gious purposes,  but  it  shall  apply  to  the  various  institutional  works  carried 
on  by  said  churches  in  like  manner  as  other  persons,  firms,  corporations 
and  associations.  The  permit  from  the  Charities  Commission  above  re- 
ferred to  shall  consist  of  a  written  certificate  issued  by  the  said  com- 
mission certifying  that  the  object  of  said  solicitation  is  worthy  and 
meritorious,  and  authorizing  the  soliciting  of  gifts  and  donations  there- 
for; said  permits  may  be  revoked  by  said  Commission  at  any  time. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  to  solicit  or  collect  for 
any  charitable  or  philanthropic  organization,  without  first  obtaining  a 
written  permit  so  to  do  from  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission;  said 
permit  shall  be  revocable  at  any  time  in  the  discretion  of  said  Commis- 
sion, which  may  adopt  such  regulations  regarding  the  soliciting  and 
collecting  of  funds  as  its  judgment  may  dictate,  and  it  shall  be  obligatory 
upon  the  holders  of  such  permits  to  abide  by  such  rules  and  regulations. 

12 


Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  asso- 
ciation to  give  or  promote  any  entertainment,  fair,  bazaar  or  benefit  in 
the  name  of  charity  or  philanthropy,  without  first  obtaining  a  written 
permit  so  to  do,  from  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission,  said  permit 
to  be  revocable  at  any  time  at  the  discretion  of  said  Commission. 

Sec  5  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  asso- 
ciation to  solicit  funds,  within  the  City  of  Los  Angeles  for  any  ethical, 
evangelistic,  religious,  missionary  or  charitable  purposes  without  haying 
first  obtained  an  endorsement  certificate  from  the  Municipal  Chanties 
Commission  Provided,  however,  that  the  provisions  of  this  section 
shall  not  apply  to  established  and  recognized  churches  or  other  religious 
organizations  in  the  City  of  Los  Angeles. 

Sec  6.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  asso- 
ciation to  sell,  or  offer  for  sale,  any  clothing,  household  goods,  or  other 
goods,  wares  or  merchandise  which  have  been  solicited  or  donated  for 
charity  or  philanthropy  without  first  obtaining  a  written  permit  so  to 
do  from  the  Municipal  Charities  Commission,  said  permit  to  be  revocable 
at  any  time  at  the  discretion  of  said  Commission. 

Sec  7.  That  any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  association  violating 
any  of  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a 
misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  thereof  shall  be  punishable  by  a  fine 
of  not  more  than  one  hundred  ($100)  dollars,  or  by  imprisonment  in 
the  city  jail  for  a  period  of  not  more  than  thirty  (30)  days,  or  by  both 
such  fine  and  imprisonment. 

Sec  8  That  in  order  to  properly  regulate  the  soliciting  of  aid  for 
charitable  or  philanthropic  purposes  and  to  prevent  fraud  and  deception 
from  being  practiced  by  soliciting  for  such  purposes,  this  ordinance  is 
urgently  required  for  the  immediate  preservation  of  the  public  peace, 
health  and  safety;  and  the  City  Clerk  shall  certify  to  its  passage  by  a 
unanimous  vote,  and  cause  the  same  to  be  published  once  in  The  Los 
Angeles  Daily  Journal,  and  thereupon  and  thereafter  it  shall  take  crt 
and  be  in  force. 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  ordinance  was  introduced  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Council  of  the  City  of  Los  Angeles  of  August  15,  1913, 
and  was  passed  at  its  meeting  of  September  13,  1913. 

CHAS.  L.  WILDE,  City  Clerk. 
Approved  this  thirteenth  day  of  September,  1913. 

F.  J.  WHIFFEN,  Acting  Mayor. 


13 


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University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

405  Hllgard  Avenue,  Los  Angeles,  CA  90024-1388 

Return  this  material  to  the  library 

from  which  It  was  borrowed. 


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REC'D  LO-URL 


PRINTSHOPO 


Do   You  Know 

That  if  every  employer  in  Los  Angeles  of  cither  male  or  female  help 
would  co-operate  with  the  Free  Municipal  Employment  Bureau,  many  thous- 
ands of  dollars  annually  which  heretofore  have  been  extracted  from  the 
salary  and  wage  earners  by  the  Commercial  Employment  Agencies  could  be 
saved?  Don't  you  want  to  feel  that  you  have  a  part  in  helping  every  work- 
ing man  and  every  working  woman  to  find  employment  without  the  payment 
of  a  FEE,  which  frequently  amounts  to  25  per  cent,  of  the  first  month's 
salary?  The  temptation  on  the  part  of  subordinates  to  receive  a  part  of  this 
fee  often  exposes  the  worker  to  frequent  dismissal  without  cause. 

Men's  Department,  No.  208  Franklin  Street,  Phones  A  2865  Main  6940 

Women's    Department,    No.    422    California    Building,    Phones    A    2815 
Bdwy  7407. 


Friendly  Visitors  should  never  forget  that  the  one  cure  for  unemployment 
with  its  consequent  train  of  privations,  is  employment,  and  usually  the  one 
who  most  needs  it  has  'east  lo  pay  for  it. 


NOTE :— A  class  of  instruction  for  Friendly  Visitors  is  held  in  the  room 
of  the  Associated  Charities,  No.  121  Temple  Street,  every  Wednesday  at  1 0 
A.  M.  FREE  to  the  workers  of  every  recognized  society. 


University 

Southei 

Librai 


